| February 21, 2013 | News for contractors and the construction industry |
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- $664M proposal would build 2 skyscrapers in Hollywood
A zoning change approved by the planning board in Los Angeles last year paved the way for taller buildings -- and that's what the Millennium Hollywood project would bring. The $664 million Millennium proposal includes two skyscrapers with office, retail and residential spaces that could occupy more than 1 million square feet. The city's Planning Commission will consider the proposal next month. Los Angeles Times (tiered subscription model)
(2/19)      
- Neighboring Calif. cities to build 2 bridges to boost economies
The California cities of Sacramento and West Sacramento plan to build two new bridges that could boost their economies. "We are coming out of a recession," said Tim Youmans, a founding partner at Economic & Planning Systems. "A lot [of construction] has been planned on both sides of the river... If you want economic development, you need transportation access." Construction of the bridges could be funded by a $77 million federal grant, for which the two cities have jointly applied. The Sacramento Bee (Calif.) (free registration)
(2/20)
| Economic Update | | |
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- Building material costs rose 0.7% in January
The producer price index for construction materials rose 0.7% in January and was up 1.3% from the year-ago level, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America. "Contractors had to contend with huge leaps in prices for gypsum, wallboard and lumber, as well as significant increases in the cost of insulation and paint," said Ken Simonson, the AGC's chief economist. "Based on pump prices for diesel fuel and price announcements by various manufacturers, it is clear that costs are rising significantly higher in February." American City Business Journals/Boston
(2/20)
| Innovation & Green Building | | |
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- Seattle building pioneers SFRC in quake-prone areas
Builders of The Martin Apartments in Seattle wanted to find a less expensive way to build concrete shear walls in highrises in earthquake-prone areas. They used steel fibers as link-beam reinforcing-steel "decongestants." This article, which details the process used, says the technique could have additional applications. "It's very helpful to have these kinds of initial trial applications because that's how one works out any difficulties," said Joe Maffei, a structural engineer. "There were some bumps along the road, but ultimately, it was successful." Engineering News-Record
(2/20)
| Policy Watch | | |
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| Association News | | |
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President's transportation plan sheds needed light on nation's infrastructure needs, lacks long-term solutions
The chief executive officer of AGC of America, Stephen E. Sandherr, issued the following statement in response to the release of President Obama’s Infrastructure Investment Plan: "President Obama is right to continue to focus on the nation’s significant, and growing, infrastructure needs. As he noted in his State of the Union address, the condition of many of the nation’s aging bridges, highways and other essential infrastructure is unacceptably poor. And he is absolutely right to point out the need to identify additional sources of revenue for transportation investments, including from the private sector." Read more.
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Construction materials prices increase between December and January and for the year
Prices for construction materials moved higher in January, propelled by large jumps in items used in new housing and nonresidential building renovations, according to an analysis of new federal figures released by AGC of America. Association officials said that contractors were paying more for materials even as the pending federal spending "sequestration" threatens to cancel an estimated $4 billion worth of construction activity this year. Read more.
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